1,000 onshore wind turbines built in rush to beat deadline

Almost 15 per cent of the UK’s power needs were met by wind farms last yearDANNY LAWSON/PA

More than a thousand onshore wind turbines were installed in the UK last year as energy companies scrambled to build new projects before government subsidies were scrapped.

The surge produced new facilities capable of producing up to 2.6 gigawatts of electricity — double the 1.3 gigawatt capacity that was added in 2013.

Offshore wind installations also hit a record high as 281 turbines capable of generating up to 1.7 gigawatts started spinning in British waters, according to the Wind Europe lobby group.

The Conservatives fought the 2015 general election on a pledge to end subsidies for new onshore wind farms, amid fierce opposition from backbenchers and concern that their costs were pushing up household energy bills.